Here is the translation of the chapter into English, maintaining the original storytelling style and preserving the special terms:
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He indeed had his henchmen hidden nearby, only you were unable to see them.
"Don’t fight them; it will only be your loss," he said. "What is your name?" "Don’t ask for my name.
One day, you will definitely find out," he replied. "Why not tell us now?" "I have my own problems," he answered. "By doing this, aren’t you afraid Cu Taiya will retaliate against you?" "I am not afraid.
My life has been worthless from the start," he said calmly. "Tu toako, from his words, he seems like an honest person," Wie Kie-hong remarked.
Tu Liong remained silent, not making a decision immediately. "Tu Siauya, what are you thinking?" the man continued to ask.
"I want to ask you one thing," Tu Liong finally spoke. "Alright, go ahead," the man replied.
"Where is Thiat-yan now?" Tu Liong asked. "To be honest, he is in a disadvantageous situation, but that kid is very clever and can improvise according to the circumstances.
Therefore, he is unlikely to be in a danger he cannot handle," the man answered.
"Kie-hong!" Tu Liong made a decision immediately, "Let’s go." Wie Kie-hong was still bewildered.
He turned back to see the man step deeper into the darkness of the house.
Once the man disappeared from sight, the two of them hurried away.
"Why did you suddenly believe his words?" Wie Kie-hong asked, trying to keep up with Tu Liong as they ran out of the house.
"Because that man referred to Thiat-yan as 'that kid'; a villain wouldn’t use such a term when speaking," Tu Liong explained.
"Tu toako, where are we going now?" Wie Kie-hong inquired.
"Now we’re heading to Uncle Tan Po-hai’s house to check the situation," Tu Liong replied.
"Oh?" Wie Kie-hong was surprised, "Do you think Uncle Tan Po-hai is in trouble?"
"If Cu Taiya is indeed the villain we’ve always suspected, he wouldn’t leave Uncle Tan Po-hai alone.
He is the only living witness," Tu Liong reasoned.
Despite the fact that dawn was approaching, they did not stop; they continued running toward Tan Po-hai’s residence.
Unexpectedly, he was playing his musical instrument as usual, as if nothing was amiss.
Seeing the two young men approaching hastily, Tan Po-hai was puzzled.
He asked, "Young masters! Is there an emergency?"
"Uncle Tan!" Tu Liong found it odd, but he didn’t want to shock Uncle Tan, "We came here to ask you something."
"Oh?" Tan Po-hai stopped playing and set down his instrument.
Tu Liong wasted no time. He asked the question that had been bothering him for a long time.
"Back then, who was the mastermind and devised all the schemes to harm Tiat Liong-san?" Tu Liong asked.
"Leng Taiya," Tan Po-hai replied.
"So, from start to finish, you worked for him?" Tu Liong continued.
"What else could I do? Everything was orchestrated by Cu Taiya. Given my social status at that time, I had no right to do anything without Leng Taiya’s approval," Tan Po-hai explained.
"So, Cu Taiya was just a pawn?" Tu Liong asked.
Tan Po-hai’s expression changed. Coldly, he asked, "Tu Siauya! Why do you think this way?"
"You mean Cu Taiya raised and cared for me until I grew up, so I shouldn’t think disrespectfully of him, right?" Tu Liong retorted.
"Correct," Tan Po-hai affirmed.
"People should have selfless thoughts, not prioritize personal interests over the common good. Right?" Tu Liong pressed.
"What did you really come here for?" Tan Po-hai asked.
"We want the truth," Tu Liong insisted.
"Tu Siauya! Back then, Cu Taiya was very wealthy, and to live in the city, he had to be selfish and use Leng Taiya’s name. As for the actual situation when Tiat Liong-san was harmed, I’m not very clear about it," Tan Po-hai explained.
"Uncle Tan, I suspect Hui Taiya and Leng Taiya were killed by Cu Taiya. Therefore, you should be careful too," Tu Liong warned.
Uncle Tan Po-hai showed no reaction. He appeared unsurprised. Calmly, he said, "Do you think Cu Taiya would kill me?"
"Possibly," Tu Liong replied.
"I think it’s unlikely," Tan Po-hai countered.
"Don’t be too sure," Tu Liong cautioned.
"I’m not in his way at all. Does he have a reason to harm me?" Tan Po-hai questioned.
Wie Kie-hong interjected, "Uncle Tan, take care of yourself. We have other matters to attend to and can’t stay here long."
Wie Kie-hong seemed in a hurry to leave, which made Tu Liong suspicious.
Unconsciously, he glanced at Wie Kie-hong. In return, Wie Kie-hong gave a knowing look to Tu Liong, signaling him.
Because of this, Tu Liong said nothing more and followed Wie Kie-hong outside.
Once outside Uncle Tan Po-hai’s residence, Wie Kie-hong circled toward the backyard.
Tu Liong was truly puzzled. He asked, "What’s going on?"
Wie Kie-hong remained silent. His actions spoke for him.
He simply pulled Tu Liong, and from the backyard, they sneaked back into Tan Po-hai’s house.
It seemed Tu Liong understood what Wie Kie-hong intended to do.
But he still asked Wie Kie-hong, "Do you think Uncle Tan will be killed tonight?"
"Mmm..." Wie Kie-hong nodded.
They continued to sneak inside.
From the room where they had spoken earlier, there was no sound of Tan Po-hai’s musical instrument, but shadows of people were visible through the paper window.
Not just one, but two people.
Their conversation could be faintly heard.
"Mr. Boh, was anything I said earlier incorrect?" Tan Po-hai asked.
"Mmm..." Mr. Boh replied.
"Mr. Boh! Throughout my life, I have not sought fame or fortune. I just want a peaceful life. From the beginning, I didn’t want to get involved in this matter. Now I can prove myself and help Cu Taiya. Please speak well of me to Cu Taiya, and if he permits, I will leave immediately," Tan Po-hai pleaded.
"Mmm..." Mr. Boh seemed eager to end the conversation.
"Do you have any other commands?" Tan Po-hai inquired.
"There is one more thing. I hope you can understand," Mr. Boh replied.
"Oh...?" Tan Po-hai was surprised.
"I’m just following orders," Mr. Boh explained.
"I understand. I truly understand," Tan Po-hai said.
"Then please don’t be angry with me," Mr. Boh requested.
"What... what do you mean by this?" Tan Po-hai asked, confused.
"Cu Taiya has instructed me that he has lost all his good friends. Only you remain, and you must feel lonely," Mr. Boh explained.
"Cu Taiya wants me dead?" Tan Po-hai asked in disbelief.
"Cu Taiya sent me here to escort you to Heaven," Mr. Boh stated.
"Mr. Boh... for years, I have acted like a servant before him, doing all that was ordered and gathering information. Is he still not satisfied with me?" Tan Po-hai implored.
"If you’re willing to join Hui Ci-hong, Leng Souw-hiang, and a few of your old friends in Hell, Cu Taiya will be even more pleased," Mr. Boh replied.
Tan Po-hai began to tremble. "If I live, he won’t be harmed," he argued.
"I know, and Cu Taiya knows. But if you’re not dead, it’s not fair to Hui Ci-hong and Leng Souw-hiang, is it?" Mr. Boh countered.
"Cu Taiya is so cruel... Mr. Boh, you can be considered a valiant man. Helping him like this, knowing so many of his secrets, do you think he’ll rest easy before killing you?" Tan Po-hai questioned.
"You’re indeed a good friend. Even now, facing death, you still think of me," Mr. Boh acknowledged.
"You won’t be able to live well in the future," Tan Po-hai warned.
"Don’t worry, I have a special relationship with Cu Siauthian," Mr. Boh assured.
"It’s no use. You’re not his own child. He will definitely kill you too. It’s just that the time hasn’t come yet," Tan Po-hai replied.
"You’re a good person. I can’t bear to kill you cruelly. Now lie on the floor, close your eyes. I promise to kill you swiftly and painlessly..." Mr. Boh offered.
Suddenly, Wie Kie-hong burst into the room, drawing his sword as he broke through the window.
The window shattered into pieces, flying in all directions.
The quiet midnight atmosphere became noisy from the loud crash of the window and Wie Kie-hong’s shout.
Boh Tan-ping’s serrated sword was already drawn.
As the window was broken, he was ready to behead Tan Po-hai.
Suddenly realizing the situation had changed, he redirected his attack toward the window.
Wie Kie-hong was still mid-air when the swing of the serrated sword approached.
Unable to avoid the deadly weapon, he was forced to use his sword to parry Boh Tan-ping’s attack.
Tu Liong, having experienced the might of Boh Tan-ping’s serrated sword before, immediately shouted a warning, "Kie-hong! Be careful!"
His shout only expressed the concern in his heart, but it offered no help.
It seemed Wie Kie-hong would surely be injured.
Swords clashed, and a loud metallic clinking was heard.
"TANGLANG!"
After Wie Kie-hong landed on the floor, he immediately charged forward, slashing his sword at Boh Tan-ping.
This time, Boh Tan-ping was forced to use his sword to block the relentless attacks.
"TANGLANG!"
Tu Liong didn’t lag behind and also rushed in.
Without a weapon, Tu Liong couldn’t do much.
He could only watch as Wie Kie-hong continued to attack Boh Tan-ping.
Wie Kie-hong’s sword kept flashing fiercely.
Boh Tan-ping seemed able to parry all the attacks with ease.
After stepping back a considerable distance, Boh Tan-ping found himself cornered, with a wall not far behind him.
If he only blocked attacks like this, he would surely be trapped.
While contemplating this, Wie Kie-hong swung his sword with all his might toward Boh Tan-ping’s neck.
Boh Tan-ping was startled.
He immediately ducked.
Wie Kie-hong’s sword slashed through empty air with a loud whoosh.
Boh Tan-ping took advantage of the opportunity.
He immediately rolled across the floor, away from Wie Kie-hong.
Unfortunately for him, as he rolled away, he rolled toward a round wooden table.
Wie Kie-hong was already attacking him again.
Still rolling on the floor, Boh Tan-ping slammed his left hand onto the floor.
He quickly propelled himself upwards and landed softly on the table.
But after this, he jumped again.
He jumped at the right time, because moments later, Wie Kie-hong’s sword had already split the wooden table into two.
Boh Tan-ping landed gently near Uncle Tan Po-hai...
Unexpectedly, the gentle Uncle Tan managed to summon the courage to help Wie Kie-hong fight Boh Tan-ping.
Even Uncle Tan didn’t know where this courage came from.
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**
Glossary:**
- Thiat-yan: A character mentioned in the story.
- Tu toako: An honorific term for addressing an elder brother or respected male.
- Tu Siauya: An honorific term for addressing a young master or respected young man.
- Cu Taiya: A character mentioned in the story, possibly an antagonist.
- Leng Taiya: A character mentioned in the story, possibly involved in evil schemes.
- Tiat Liong-san: A character mentioned in the story, possibly a victim of the plot.
- Hui Ci-hong: A character mentioned in the story.
- Leng Souw-hiang: A character mentioned in the story.
- Boh Tan-ping: A character involved in the confrontation.
- Cu Siauthian: A character mentioned in the story.